New developments and the surrounding areas could benefit from a reduced risk of flooding thanks to a clearer approach to drainage guidance for planning applications. The Isle of Wight Council is consulting on new drainage guidance for developers to include in planning applications. This is to ensure new development is designed to manage surface water in the best possible way. The new approach to drainage will ensure sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are designed as part of new developments to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall by using features such as soakaways, grassed areas, permeable surfaces and wetlands. By reducing the overall amount of water that ends up in the sewers during heavy rain, the number of storm overflow discharges to the sea can be reduced. Certain features such as tanks and water butts also allow for water reuse and reduce pressures on water resources. The benefits of sustainable drainage systems are many – from mitigating flood risk by catching and storing surplus water and reducing storm overflow discharges, to enhancing local nature in the heart of our developments and helping with harvesting valuable rain water. Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for planning, coastal protection and flooding, said:
“Everyone on the Island is well aware of the severe impact that flooding has on our community, that storm events are becoming more regular and more extreme, and it is important that the council does everything it can to try and minimise these impacts. “Part of that work is to ensure that new development is designed to manage surface water in the best possible way to help reduce the likelihood of flooding in our communities. Taking a more consistent and effective approach to sustainable drainage systems will improve the resilience of our drainage and sewer infrastructure, while reaping these broader benefits. “This draft supplementary planning document (SPD) provides excellent guidance and advice on how new development can do that. “I would encourage people to read and comment on the document and look forward to being able to use it when making planning decisions so we can ensure that new development manages surface water in the best way for our Island.”
The proposed new guidance will support improved development but all Islanders can support the reduction of excess water into sewers at home by using water butts on down pipes and taking water saving measures such a reduced flow toilets and shorter showers. Following the consultation, the draft SPD will then be taken to Cabinet in May where councillors will be asked to formally adopt the SPD. If it is adopted, the SPD will be used as a material consideration when determining planning applications. The consultation will run until Friday 8th March 2024 and more information can be found on the council’s website. Comments can be submitted by email to [email protected] or by post to Planning Services, Seaclose Office, Fairlee Road, Newport, PO30 2QS. Copies of the draft SPD are available to view at reception at both Seaclose Offices and County Hall.
What a pity IWC and other Planning Authorities do not prevent concreting over your nice absorbent garden to provide somewhere to park the three or four vehicles most households now seem to have accumulated.
Yet more of our council tax being wasted.
Whilst we contnue to build, covering areas of natural drainage these words are just that ‘words’ First Aid sticking plasters, The answer is stop any further developments , fix and put into place effective drainage. Clean out silted up drains, rivers, soakaways and then when thats done, consider any further developments
‘take shorter showers’?
This is honestly one of the Council’s ideas to reduce flooding?
They really should pick up their coats and leave. They are an absolute shower.
Maybe someone in the planning department has finally twigged on that building on flood planes is not a good idea.
Are the IWC going to supply us all with free water butts? I will have 3 please.
Don’t make me laugh, IW Council couldn’t consult on opening a
Bag of crisps
Dream on